Dubawi’s Al Husn Upsets Nashwa And Blue Rose Cen In The Nassau

Shadwell's Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Hadaatha {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) caused an upset when usurping Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the dying strides of Newcastle's G3 Hoppings S. when last seen and repeated the dose with a game performance for a career high in a stellar renewal of Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood.

This year's G2 Dahlia S. runner-up and Listed Rothesay S. victrix was let go at generous odds of 9-1 and broke smartly from the outside stall to find a smooth rhythm in a close-up second for the most part. Shaken up to gain a narrow advantage from the pacesetting Above The Curve (American Pharoah) passing the quarter-mile marker, she refused to yield thereafter and was driven out inside the final furlong to withstand the rallying effort of that rival by a half-length. Last year's winner Nashwa posed an ominous threat on the outside throughout the final quarter-mile, but was unable to find the necessary kick when it mattered most and was the same margin further adrift in third. Christopher Head trainee and dual Classic heroine Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) fell foul to Goodwood's notorious traffic problems and was unable to produce her usual flourish along the far-side rail, finishing a neck away in fourth.

“Al Husn is a remarkable filly and she has won seven of her last eight now,” said Roger Varian after his charge joined the who's-who of elite-level distaffers and became his breakthrough in the 183-year-old contest. “The truth is none of us really knew how good she was, because she is one of those who just beats what is in front of her and is never particularly flashy. She has such an admirable attitude. We thought we would come here and run very well, but I am obviously delighted, and delighted Sheihka Hissa is here. To have a Group 1 for her and with a homebred filly like this, it's fantastic. The Nassau is a fantastic race, steeped in prestige and history. It is one of the magical races for fillies to win. It will be forever in her stud book and hopefully when she's done racing, she can go to the farm and be a great mare for them. It is very special for us, we went very close a couple of years ago in the same colours with Zeyaadah, so it's nice to go one better today. She is not the biggest filly, but she is very well made. We trained her mum, Hadaatha, who was third in the [G1] Prix de l'Opera, so we always had faith that Hadaatha would breed a very good one.”

Looking ahead to Group 1 options down the line, Varian added, “Let's enjoy today and see how she is tomorrow. She is in the [G1] Prix Jean Romanet [at Deauville] in two-and-a-half weeks' and the [G1] Yorkshire Oaks, if we fancy going up to a mile and a half, although I'm not sure about that. Later in the year, races like the [G1] Prix de l'Opera I'm sure will be considered and who knows, perhaps something at Santa Anita for her.”

Crowley Back Where He Belongs
Rider Jim Crowley's fortunes took an upward turn and his winning percentage was a small measure of compensation to offset an excessive sanction imposed earlier in the week for his ride aboard Hukum in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot. “Al Husn was so tough there,” he said. “She is not a big filly, but she is a little terrier who tries and is so tough. She has improved with every run and it's just great to nick a race like that with her. She is a very good filly and we were in the right place at the right time. It is the nature of the track and, when I saw the French filly get that [inside] draw, I thought they were going to need a bit of luck. I had to commit on her a long way out and we had the luck today. It was a steady, tactical affair and she was in the right place, but she still had to kick on two out and fend them off, which she did. It was a great performance, Roger's done a fantastic job with her and she's just kept on improving all season. Coming here today, she still had to step up, and she did. She might possibly get further, but we have never really thought about it. It is something we can talk about.”

No Repeat For Nashwa
Nashwa's rider Hollie Doyle felt the tactical nature of the contest contributed to defeat of the reigning champion, as did a fast-emptying tank in the conditions, and explained, “There was no pace early on and they got racing early coming down the hill. Nashwa relaxed beautifully, I tried to hold on to her for as long as I could and I went there with a double handful at the two-furlong pole. One-and-a-half furlongs out I went to win my race, pushed the button and she quickened. I just think, in the final furlong, I lacked a bit of stamina. It has happened a few times now and it confirmed what we might have thought. Take nothing away from the winner, who is very good.”

Thady Gosden was in agreement with Doyle's musings and said, “She has run a very good race, but they went a slow pace and it's very difficult to pick up in this ground. She travelled into the race well, but you can't quicken on ground like this and that has sucked the class out of her. She won last time over a mile and showed a brilliant turn-of-foot in ground that was not as soft and easier to quicken through. Today she has run a very good race, but couldn't quite show that brilliance we have seen before.”

Head Positive Despite Blue Rose Cen Reversal
Fourth-place finisher Blue Rose Cen was experiencing defeat for just the second time in her nine latest starts and Christophe Head uplifted spirits with a positive attitude in the aftermath. “She ran a nice race, she did her race, and for sure would have been closer in a different position,” he said of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine. “It was a very tactical race so, of course, it was a possibility that kind of thing could happen. It's different here, so we need to accept that, even with a strong possibility of winning, there is still a possibility to fail. I think Blue Rose Cen ran a very nice race and she will now get into the rest of her programme. We will have to discuss with Leopoldo to see what the team want to do with her. This was a nice opportunity because we need to exist at this level. It hasn't been won by France since the beginning, so it was a challenge.”

Pedigree Notes

Al Husn is the fourth of seven foals and one of two scorers produced by stakes-winning G1 Prix de l'Opera third Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself a daughter of stakes-winning G1 1000 Guineas third Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}). Hathrah is one of seven black-type performers out of the multiple stakes-placed Zivania (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}), headed by MG1SP sire Ivan Luis (Fr) (Lycius) and G3 UAE 2000 Guineas-winning sire Stagelight (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred bay is kin to a yearling filly by Siyouni (Fr) and a weanling filly by No Nay Never.

 

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 8-3, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:13.37, sf.
1–AL HUSN (IRE), 135, f, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Hadaatha (Ire) (SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $109,194), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hathrah (Ire), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Zivania (Ire), by Shernazar (Ire)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-Jim Crowley. £340,260. Lifetime Record: 10-7-1-0, $603,021. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Above The Curve, 135, f, 4, American Pharoah–Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. £129,000.
3–Nashwa (GB), 135, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–Princess Loulou (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £64,560.
Margins: HF, HF, NK. Odds: 9.00, 7.00, 2.75.
Also Ran: Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Caernarfon (GB), Never Ending Story (Ire).

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Dark Angel’s Alflaila To The Fore On The Knavesmire

Shadwell's ultra-consistent Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Adhwaa {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) had not been sighted since annexing October's G3 Darley S. at Newmarket, but was ready, willing and able to deliver a decisive burst for a career best in Saturday's G2 Sky Bet York S. on the Knavesmire.

The Owen Burrows trainee, who also saluted in last term's G3 Strensall S. at this venue, employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled into a smooth rhythm with just one rival behind until turning for home. Taking closer order in the straight, the 5-1 chance quickened stylishly to challenge inside the final furlong en route to a half-length verdict from the dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).

“It was a very good training performance and, obviously, Owen Burrows' horses are running very well at the moment,” said rider Andrea Atzeni. “Now that I'm a freelance, I was able to commit to the ride. I have sat on him twice at home as Owen was very keen for me to get to know the horse. He hasn't run for a while, but his work was good. With the likes of My Prospero and Royal Champion running, it was a competitive race for such a small field and it was a very good race.”

Pedigree Notes

Alflaila, one of his sire's 56 pattern-race winners, is one of two winners from as many runners out of Listed Montrose Fillies' S. runner-up Adhwaa (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Adhwaa's dam, Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Hammiya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), also produced Listed Nereide-Rennen victrix Shaqira (GB) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is the leading performer for Listed Prix Herod winner Albacora (Ire) (Fairy King), herself  a half-sister to G3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Pont-Aven (Ire) (Try My Best). Pont-Aven produced a quartet of black-type winners headed by dual G2 Prix du Gros-Chene victrix Sainte Marine (Ire) (Kenmare {Fr}), G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Josr Algarhoud (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and the stakes-producing Listed winners Traou Mad (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and Cap Coz (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Adhwaa has also produced the hitherto unraced 3-year-old filly Kick A Rhyme (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).

 

Saturday, York, Britain
SKY BET YORK S.-G2, £125,000, York, 7-29, 3yo/up, 10f 56yT, 2:10.17, gd.
1–ALFLAILA (GB), 134, c, 4, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Adhwaa (GB) (SP-Eng), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Hammiya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Albacora (Ire), by Fairy King
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-Owen Burrows; J-Andrea Atzeni. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 13-6-3-0, $339,313. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–My Prospero (Ire), 134, c, 4, Iffraaj (GB)–My Titania (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas. £26,875.
3–Royal Champion (Ire), 134, g, 5, Shamardal–Emirates Queen (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £13,450.
Margins: HF, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 5.00, 1.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Checkandchallenge (GB), Mashhoor (GB).

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Israr Eclipses Adayar In Newmarket’s Thursday Feature

The odds for Thursday's Kingdom of Bahrain-sponsored G2 Princess of Wales's S. suggested a measure of redemption was in store for Derby and King George hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), but Shadwell's former handicapper and 7-2 second favourite Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}–Taghrooda {GB}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) confounded those in possession of 1-3 tickets with a power-packed display of his own to claim a career best in the 12-furlong feature. The eventual winner slipstreamed Godolphin duo Global Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Adayar through the early fractions and eased outside into an echelon formation in readiness for his bid passing halfway. Moving into second with three furlongs remaining, he was pushed to the front going into “the dip” and lengthened clear in impressive fashion up the hill to easily assert superiority by 4 1/2 lengths. Adayar was unable to match the winner's kick up the hill, finishing a well-beaten second. Stablemate Global Storm was 7 1/2 lengths further adrift in third.

Israr, who attained 'TDN Rising Star' status tackling one mile at Doncaster on debut in 2021, snagged two of six handicap outings last year and opened this campaign with runner-up finishes in May's G3 Aston Park S. at Newbury and in last month's Listed Grand Cup at York.

“We ran him at York over a mile-and-six, he took on a good stayer [Quickthorn] that day and it was a mistake as it was too far,” explained John Gosden after collecting a third renewal. “They have gone strong fractions today and they are not far off a track record. It was a great performance, he coped with the good-to-firm ground and it was the best performance of his life. I expected him to run well today, but I didn't expect him to beat Adayar like that. He is improving, but I don't want to rush him in any big races like the [G1] King George. I think it would be too soon and too quick after a performance like that. I'd like to try and box a bit more cleverly than that. If we space his races he will be a nice horse right the way through to the [G1] Sheema Classic next year. I do have plans, but I've not got them organised yet so I will have to get the old [programme] book out.”

It was a first triumph in the race for rider Jim Crowley, who added, “He didn't quite get home last time at York, but he is probably only just coming to himself now. He has a very good personality and is very laid back, but he is tough and tries hard. As soon as I got upsides Adayar at the two pole I pretty much knew we had got him beat. It looks as though a mile-and-a-half is definitely his trip. He is a big, strong horse that is getting better with racing and age and is a work in progress.”

Reflecting on a sub-par performance from Adayar, trainer Charlie Appleby said, “Will [Buick] was happy throughout the race and when he made the move we thought he'd go and put it to bed. To be fair to Israr, he came under the pump before we did and we thought we had got him at it. He was disappointing when he hit the rising ground and just emptied out. We'll get him home and see what the vitals say after the race, but it wasn't the ground. He's won on quick ground before so I'm not going to use that as an excuse and we'll see if anything comes out in the wash.”

Pedigree Notes
Israr becomes the first pattern-race scorer, from two winners, produced by G1 Oaks and G1 King George S. & Queen Elizabeth S. heroine Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who also hit the board in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Taghrooda is the leading performer for multiple stakes-winning G2 Lancashire Oaks second Ezima (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), herself a daughter of the unraced Ezilla (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}). Descendants of Ezilla include Group 1-winning siblings Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), Enzeli (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and Edabiya (Ire) (Rainbow Quest). Taghrooda has the unraced 2-year-old filly Taraneem (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and a yearling colt by Lope De Vega (Ire) to come.

 

Thursday, Newmarket, Britain
PRINCESS OF WALES'S S. (SPONSORED BY THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN)-G2, £125,000, Newmarket, 7-13, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:27.33, g/f.
1–ISRAR (GB), 134, c, 4, by Muhaarar (GB)
1st Dam: Taghrooda (GB) (MG1SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $2,404,603), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Ezima (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Ezilla (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Jim Crowley. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 11-4-3-3, $243,660. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Adayar (Ire), 134, h, 5, Frankel (GB)–Anna Salai, by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £26,875.
3–Global Storm (Ire), 137, g, 6, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Travel, by Street Cry (Ire). (200,000gns Wlg '17 TATFOA; 260,000gns 2yo '19 TATBRE). O-Godolphin; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £13,450.
Margins: 4HF, 7HF, 9. Odds: 3.50, 0.33, 18.00.
Also Ran: Grand Alliance (Ire).

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Dubawi’s Al Husn Registers Hoppings Triumph, Nashwa Collared Late

Last term's G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S. heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) attempted to make all in Friday evening's G3 JenningsBet In Shiremoor Hoppings Fillies' S. at Newcastle, but was collared by Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Hadaatha {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) nearing the line in the extended 10-furlong distaffers' test.

Shadwell's homebred Roger Varian trainee settled into a smooth rhythm behind Nashwa's moderate tempo and tracked the leaders in fourth until slipping one spot on the home turn. Urged closer with three furlongs remaining, the 3-1 chance went second entering the final furlong and kept on relentlessly under continued urging to deny the faltering odds-on favourite by a half-length in the dying strides. Al Husn has won six of her last seven outings and backed up a second in the Rowley Mile's May 7 G2 Dahlia S. on seasonal return with a breakthrough success in Ayr's May 24 Listed Rothesay S. when last seen.

“She looked so well in herself tonight and is clearly thriving,” said winning rider Jim Crowley. “I was concerned by the nine draw, but she felt in great form and I was able to get a really nice position. It was a bit of a rush when we turned for home, but she picked up nicely and hit the line well. She's improving all the time and, off that run, you crack on and aim a little bit higher. There's no reason why she can't progress. She's not big, but she's a little terrier and I think she has earned a a crack at the [G1] Nassau. I'll speak to Roger [Varian] and connections, but she'd have nothing to lose running in a race like that and everything to gain. Touch wood she'll progress again.”

Racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe admitted Nashwa's effort fell below expectations and said, “I thought it was disappointing. We expected a really a good run for her, as she needed the race in France, but she's been straightforward at home since. Hollie [Doyle] was really happy apart from the last bit, so we obviously have a little bit of thinking to do to see what the best plan might be. In France I knew we were in a bit more trouble, but here I was pretty confident. We'll still think about the [G1] Nassau [at Goodwood], but we have to give it some good consideration.”

Pedigree Notes
Al Husn is the fourth of six foals and one of two scorers produced by stakes-winning G1 Prix de l'Opera third Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself a daughter of stakes-winning G1 1000 Guineas third Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}). Hathrah is one of seven black-type performers out of the multiple stakes-placed Zivania (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}), headed by MG1SP sire Ivan Luis (Fr) (Lycius) and G3 UAE 2000 Guineas-winning sire Stagelight (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred bay is kin to a yearling filly by Siyouni (Fr).

Friday, Newcastle, Britain
JENNINGSBET IN SHIREMOOR HOPPINGS FILLIES' S.-G3, £60,000, Newcastle, 6-30, 3yo/up, f, 10f 42y (AWT), 2:09.23, st/sl.
1–AL HUSN (IRE), 133, f, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Hadaatha (Ire) (SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $109,194), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hathrah (Ire), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Zivania (Ire), by Shernazar (Ire)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-Jim Crowley. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 9-6-1-0, $170,543. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nashwa (GB), 133, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–Princess Loulou (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Imad Alsagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £12,900.
3–One For Bobby (Ire), 133, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–One Spirit (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). O-Miss A H Marshall; B-F Dunne (IRE); T-Hugh Morrison. £6,456.
Margins: HF, 2 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 3.00, 0.73, 12.00.
Also Ran: Misty Dancer (GB), Heavenly Breath (GB), Star Fortress (Ire), Belt Buckle (GB), Rousay (Ire), Bright Diamond (Ire).

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